South Africa 'A' land innings win over Windies 'A'

South Africa "A" hammered West Indies "A" by an innings and 88 runs when the teams concluded their first of two unofficial "Test" matches at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on June 4.

It was a rude awakening for the Windies "A" team which was led by Guyanese wicket-keeper/batsman Tevin Imlach, as they were bowled out for 272 on the final day as the visitors stormed to a comprehensive win.

Batting first in the four-day contest, the Windies "A" team were bowled out for a modest 240 in their first innings, with Proteas pacer Okuhle Cele wrecking the regional team's lineup with figures of five for 43. Imlach led the way with the bat for the Windies "A" team with a knock of 61, with Mikyle Louis (57 off 70 balls), Khary Pierre (44) and opener John Campbell (33) also among the runs.

In South Africa's lone turn at the crease, they put the game beyond all doubt as they made a mammoth 600 for seven before declaring . Skipper Marques Ackerman led the way with an innings of authority, as he plundered 209 off 170 balls with 32 fours and and two sixes. Opening batsman Jordan Hermann (52), Jason Smith (56), Rivaldo Moonsamy (68) and Prenelan Subrayen (64 not out) all hit fifties, with Ackerman sharing century partnerships with both Smith and Sinethemba Qeshile (48).

Seamers Ronaldo Alimohammed (two for 88) and Ojay Shields (two for 90) were the pick of the bowlers for the Windies "A".

In the second innings, the Windies batsmen had a slightly better outing, but they were no match for the pair of Subrayen and Tristan Luus who had figures of five for 82 and four for 86 respectively to bowl the visitors to victory.

Guyanese top-order batsman Kevlon Anderson top-scored with 52, with Alick Athanaze (49) and Alimohammed (40 off 36) also getting decent scores

The second unofficial Test will bowl off in St Lucia on June 8.

Summarised Scores:

WEST INDIES "A": 240 (Tevin Imlach 61, Mikyle Louis 57, Khary Pierre 44; Okuhle Cele 5/43, Tshepo Moreki 3/63) & 272 (Kevlon Anderson 52, Alick Athanaze 49, Ronaldo Alimohammed 40; Prenelan Bubrayen 5/82, Tristan Luus 4/86) vs SOUTH AFIRCA "A": 600/7 declared (Marques Ackerman 209, Rivaldo Moonsamy 68, P Subrayen 64 not out; R Alimohammed 2/88, Ojay Shields 2/90). South Africa "A" won by an innings and 88 runs.